Green Business Practices: A Look at 4 Companies Doing It Right

If you’re looking for ways to make your business more green, there is a vast range of strategies at all price and commitment levels. The array of options may make it hard to know which step to take first, so take a look at these companies that are committed to green business practices. You may get a couple ideas on where to start your own green journey.

PrintingForLess.comPrintingForLess.com is an online printing service based in Montana that produces a variety of products for commercial and private use, including postcards, business cards and brochures. The company earned certification with all three of the Chain-of-Custody Certifications: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative).

PrintingForLess.com uses paper comprising at least 60 percent repurposed pulp, and most of the rest of their paper is sourced from sustainable tree plantations. In addition to sourcing green materials, the company runs their offices on wind power and natural light with sparing use of fluorescent bulbs. Even their headquarter’s landscaping was designed to consume little water.

Waste Management
A company that hauls trash to the landfill doesn’t seem like it would be green, but Waste Management is an exception to this stereotype. According to the company’s sustainability protection and management statement, Waste Management is committed to consuming less water and less energy at its facilities, and it has a number of programs in place to develop policies to help with environmental protection, water protection, gas management and more. Daily Finance reports that Waste Management is exploring technologies that can convert waste into energy as an extension of their commitment to being green.

Unilever
The parent company behind brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Vaseline and Lipton, Unilever has specific goals in place to make the company more green. Instead of paying lip service to any vague ideas, the company has a detailed sustainable living plan, including goals of halving the greenhouse gas impact of its products and the waste associated with disposing of these products by 2020. The plan’s ultimate goal is to improve the health of its employees while also reducing its environmental impact. By 2020, the company plans to source 100 percent of its agricultural materials from sustainable sources.

Honda
With yearly revenues of $84.2 billion and an employee base of more than 145,000 people, Honda is one of the world’s leading auto manufacturers. It’s also one of the most environmentally responsible, according to CNN Money. The company reduced its carbon emissions by 10 percent during the first decade of 2000 and is committed to promoting fuel efficiency through its designs and practices. Honda has a honda civic and other hybrid electric cars; including a plug-in hybrid electric Accord and Fit all electric car for sale today.

The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman, is recognized as a green living guru and electric car expert. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides, green business and electric vehicles.